With mental health issues often being brushed under the table as ‘not real’ because of stigma, you’re likely to underestimate the very real repercussions of poor emotional wellbeing. In fact, research shows you are more likely to experience mental illness than you are to develop heart disease or diabetes. [12]

Around 828,000 employees suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety every year. [13]

17% of employees will struggle with a diagnosed mental health condition this year. They’ll be in emotional pain, and might not be able to work or function. [14]

38% of employees feel unmotivated, burnt out, anxious or depressed

Loneliness and declining mental health are strongly linked. UK levels of loneliness rose during the pandemic, especially for people already struggling with their mental health. By the third lockdown, 40% of people with pre-existing mental health diagnoses reported feeling lonely compared to 26% of the general UK population. [15,16]

84% of workers experienced a mental health challenge over the last year. [22]

71% of working adults reported at least one symptom of stress. [23]

68% of millennials and 81% of Gen Z’s left their jobs for mental health-related reasons in the last year. [24]

Only 38% of employees feel comfortable using their company’s mental health services. [25]

Women who work full-time are almost twice as likely to have a mental health problem than their male counterparts. [1]

Younger people (between the ages of 18 and 29) are more likely to leave their jobs for mental health reasons compared to their older counterparts. [11]

More than half (52%) of employees don’t feel they get enough support from their employer for their mental wellbeing. [11]

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70% of managers believe there are ‘structural’ barriers to providing mental wellbeing support for their reports. [26]

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Only 38% of HR respondents say that their line managers are equipped to have sensitive conversations around mental health. [2,18]

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Initiatives aimed at improving workplace mental health can yield a return of interest up to 800% due to higher productivity, fewer sick days and lower staff turnover. [6]

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Having better mental health initiatives in place can save UK businesses up to £8 billion every year. [27]

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Initially investing £80 per employee in promoting wellbeing initiatives at work will result in a net return of around £600 in savings, due to reduced presenteeism and absenteeism. [1]

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Employees are more interested in using digital tools to support their mental health now than before the pandemic (47% compared to 35%). [11]

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The highest ROI can be achieved by providing mental health screening programs and personal therapy, with returns of £6.30 for every £1 invested.

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Screening helps to identify people who may be susceptible to or experiencing mental health issues, in order to provide targeted support at an early stage and prevent the problem from worsening. [11]

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63% say that when people are kind, it has a positive impact on their mental health, and the same proportion agree that being kind to others has the same effect. Encouraging open conversations around mental wellbeing creates a kinder, more psychologically safe work environment. [28]

There’s never a one-size fits all approach to mental health support. All of us struggle with different things, and have different mental wellbeing needs. It’s important to consider employee wellbeing on a case-by-case basis.

Other than educating managers, mental health initiatives like having a mental health policy, and access to professional services, simply trying to be more empathetic can go a long way. Hopefully we’ll see more companies prioritising mental health in the workplace, with happy, healthy teams to show for it.

Workplace mental health resources

The 5 pillars of wellbeing at work

1. Feeling safe to speak to someone about mental health without it being stigmatised

2. Having a stress assessment and management system

3. Highlighting mental health programs in the workplace

4. Creating your own employee wellbeing survey

5. How to manage and balance employee performance AND employee wellbeing together